US Version of Ford Focus Titanium soon to get manual

The Ford Focus has always been praised as the finest driving car in its class and though with this third generation model it’s been watered down even further, it still is.

What makes it a bit of a shame is that in the US, the Ford Focus, regardless of sedan or hatchback body is mostly offered with an automatic gearbox.

2012 Ford Focus

The lower level is S and SE models would steer you towards the three pedals and H shifter but from there on things tend to be automated only.
According to a report from Car and Driver however, that is about to change soon. It seems that the Blue Oval brand is getting ready to introduce another manual gearbox in the list of options.

The new box will now be available to the Ford Focus customers that want to opt out for the bells and whistles Titanium spec. This translates into better customer satisfaction for Ford.

2012 Ford Focus

After all, their customers will no longer have to pick between getting the most fun or the most luxuriously equipped version of the Focus.

Don’t get me wrong, automatics are great these days and dual-clutch setups out-perform the manual cog shifter but for sheer excitement and the joy of “thrashing” an engine, you can’t do better.

In a car like the Focus, apart from tactile steering and responsiveness, changing gears yourself is the best example of joy.

2012 Ford Focus

It also has a lot to do with how the Ford Focus isn’t quick enough for gear changing to be overwhelming on most driver senses.